Sit-Down and #Giveaway with Lena Nelson Dooley

Howdy, y'all! Crystal here and call me bias, but today I've got another great Texan author in the hot seat, the wonderful Lena Nelson Dooley! I met Lena for the first time at an ACFW conference years ago. What do I recall? My friend Joy in the driver's seat, Lena in the passenger's, a crammed trunk, and equally full backseat. 🙂 Did I mention a lot of laughter? I think we guffawed all the way to the airport. Since then, I've gotten to know Lena better as she's roped me into doing a number of covers for her. She's such a sweetie, y'all! So strap in and enjoy this interview. (Oh and be sure to watch out for the info on her generous giveaway.😉)

Welcome back to Stitches Thru Time, Lena. For those of us who don't have the privilege of knowing you, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born on a dark and stormy night. I remember it well. (Just kidding.) I grew up in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. My family moved to Texas while I was in college. I transferred to a Texas college, and they soon moved to New Mexico. I stayed in Texas and married a Texan. We’ll be married 53 years in November. I came from a family with members who always wrote. The only other one who is published is my brother who was a pastor. He had a book of sermons published.

That's so cool. I didn't know all that. Thanks so much for sharing, and speaking of sharing...

Since we're celebrating our 4th birthday here on STT, can you share with us a funny birthday memory or a memory from when you were four years old? 

No. As old as I am, it’s hard to pinpoint specific memories. This one is about my brother and me on his birthday, maybe about 9 th or 10 th . After we had a birthday meal with cake and ice cream, we were doing the dishes. We took turns each meal with who washed and who dried. He was washing and I was drying. He decided we should have a sword fight. He handed me a large butcher knife and he took a paring knife out of the water. We weren’t that good at controlling them. One time, I swung the knife and hit him on the side of his thumb. It wasn’t funny then, because his hand really bled a lot. I screamed bloody murder and the parents came running. They were able to take care of it without going to the doctor, and he told them it was his fault. That’s when my older brother became my hero. We never knew whether they found out the truth.

Awww, sounds like you have a great brother, but what a memory! That one would definitely stick. Speaking of the past, I know you write stories from yesteryear. Where did you get your love of history?

I’ve always loved history, just not remembering the dates. When I was old enough to read books, I often chose historical novels from the library. Every elective in college was a history course about a country or time period I found interesting.

That's interesting. I didn't enjoy history as much until I began reading inspirational historical romance novels. Can you tell us about your newest release? What is your story about?

My last full-length release is A Heart’s Gift.

In July, this book won the Faith, Hope, and Love Readers Choice Award in the long historical category.

Congratulations!

Since then, I’ve been published in a 9-book novella collection. My story in that is contemporary, Strange Voices in the Night in the Summer Fireworks collection.

Those covers look awfully familiar. 😉

Where did you get the inspiration for your story? 

This story had percolated in my brain for quite a while. I believe that every story comes from God. And I pray while I’m writing it. In this one, God turned it into a suspense novel about 2/3 of the way through.

Cool! I pray about my stories and for my readers too. I love it when God throws me curve balls. :) What do you hope folks will take away from your story?

That God always has a plan. We just need to stay connected with Him and be obedient to His directions.

Amen!

Do you have a favorite scene in the book? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

There are so many. I especially loved the wedding scene in this marriage-of- convenience story. Things happened that neither the hero nor the heroine expected.

Unexpected twists are always fun. :) What do you plan to work on next? 

Right now, I’m working on a proposal that my agent is going to send to my dream publisher.

Ooo. Fingers crossed. :) 

Where can readers connect with you? Where can readers buy your book(s)?

I am all over the Internet:

• Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com
• Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley
• Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson- Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley
• Christianbook.com
• Blogtalk Radio, The Lena Nelson Dooley Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/along-came-a-writer/
• LinkedIn
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lenanelsondooley
• Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JPAIDE
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenandooley/

If readers go to my Amazon Author Page, they can find all of my books. The link is in the list above. Or they can ask their library or local bookstore to add the book they’re interested in to their shelves.

Thanks so much for that list and info. Last but not least, apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

In all my long years (I’ll be 75 on November 13), I’ve done a lot of different things from painting to needlework and beyond. Right now, I’m a screenwriter for a Christian movie.

Coolness! Can't wait to hear/see more about that! 

Thanks so much for being our guest today, Lena. It was such a treat! And speaking of treats...

Lena has generously offered to give away three different audio books to three different people. The winners will get to choose from the book covers on this site (Listen to Lena Nelson Dooley Audiobooks | Audible.com) (Any except the Pirate's Prize book).

Winners will be announced in the Weekly Windup post on Monday, Aug 28th and are responsible for contacting STT to claim their prize.

So tell us, folks, do you prefer historical or contemporary stories? Paperback, audio, or ebook? Let's talk!